ALTHOUGH rain had threatened to spoil the Wales & Border Counties Harness Racing party at the Ludlow race meeting on Saturday, it held off until after the last race, so ensuring another successful day at this lovely venue.

The Novice heats were the first races with Lorna Bird driving her own Fold Allstar to victory in the first while Stateside Icon (Weigel, Llanddewi Velfrey) was second and Ithon Queen (Reynolds, Orleton) was third.

In the second heat another from the Fold stable of Presteigne, this time the younger half brother, Fold Megastar driven by Oliver Jones from Evenjobb for Lorna Bird of Evenjobb was first, in second was the ever popular Sally M (Davies, Orleton) while the lightly raced Blue Guns N Roses (Thomas, Pontypridd) was third.

In the Grade B race the reliable Victoria Penlan with trainer Perry Thomas from Pontypridd on board claimed first prize from Carrie on Fred (Middleton, Llandrindod Wells) and Ayr Major (Eggerton, Norton Canon).

Lockitdownlou is another horse beginning to make his name in the sport, and he won the second Baby Novice race for his owner, driver Oliver Jones from Evenjobb, in second was Dernol Jacky (Beddoes, Llanbister) while Manceys Deuce (Hawkes, Orleton) continued to impress in third.

In the Junior race Maddy Davies from Oreleton claimed victory driving Manceys Deuce with Jacob Bird on grandad’s Fold Showman (Perks, Presteigne) in second.

In the Non-whip race the well regarded Greenhill Lucky (Price, Builth Wells) was first with Easy Connection (Millard, Wombourne) in second and Carrie on Doon (Morgan, Knighton) third.

Next week is the premiere meeting of the season at Penybont, the oldest fixture in the calendar known as the Wembley of Wales. The meeting is on Saturday, July 27, starting at 1.30pm.

Other sports results from across Herefordshire.

GOLF

Grove GC

Senior Stableford (July 23): 1. Derek Price 25 points; 2. Frank Walden 20; 3. Tony Langford 18.
Nearest the Pin: Trevor Large.  Birdie2s: Trevor Large, Derek Price.

BRIDGE

Herefordshire County Bridge Association: 

Herefordshire Clubs Online Pairs (July 18): 1. David Grace & Tim Young 65.74%; 2. Mike Ralph & Chris Chowney 61.11; 3. Sue Shore & Heather Brace 55.56; 4. Linda Blunt & Owen Evans 52.78.

Lyonshall Bridge Club
Duplicate Pairs (July 16): 1. Zita Chilman & Yvonne Thomas 64.58%; 2 . Peter Smith & Dennis Chapple 64.17; 3. Sue Powell & Sue Davies 61.25.